Metal Roofing for Minnesota and Wisconsin: Your Options Explained

Published November 4, 2026

The three main types of metal roof

Most residential metal roofs fall into one of three families.

• Standing seam. Long panels run from the ridge to the eaves and lock together at raised seams. The fasteners sit under the seams, out of the weather. It is the cleanest look and has the fewest places for water to enter.
• Stone-coated steel. Steel pressed into the shape of shingles, shakes or tile and finished with a bonded stone granule coat. From the street it reads as a traditional roof; underneath it is steel.
• Exposed-fastener panels. Ribbed or corrugated sheets screwed through the face of the panel. Common on agricultural and outbuildings because it goes on quickly, but every screw and its rubber washer is a point that needs attention as the roof ages.

Omega Exteriors installs metal roofs and stone-coated steel roofs on homes. For a house, standing seam and stone-coated steel are the two most homeowners compare.

Snow: shedding, snow guards and ice dams

Snow is where metal earns its reputation in the north. A smooth standing seam surface lets snow slide off once the sun or the attic warms the underside, which keeps weight off the framing and leaves less snow sitting at the eaves to melt and refreeze. Stone-coated steel has a textured surface and holds snow more like shingles do, releasing it more gradually.

Sliding snow needs a plan. On a steep roof over a door, deck, walkway, driveway or gas meter, snow guards hold the load in place so it melts off or comes down in small amounts rather than one heavy sheet. The layout depends on what sits below each eave.

Metal does not stop ice dams by itself. An ice dam forms when heat escaping from the house melts snow high on the roof and the water refreezes at the cold overhang. Attic insulation, air sealing and ventilation decide that, under any roof material. Our guide to ice dams covers the attic side, and an ice and water barrier along the eaves remains good practice under metal.

Hail and impact ratings

Hail is the other test. Roofing impact resistance is rated under UL 2218, with Class 4 the highest. Many steel roofing products, including many stone-coated steel lines, carry a Class 4 rating, and manufacturers publish the rating for each product. Thicker steel resists denting better than thinner steel or aluminum, and a textured stone coating hides small dents that would show on a smooth panel.

A cosmetic dent and a leak are different things. Hail can mark a smooth metal roof without affecting how it sheds water, so a dented panel that still keeps water out is a matter of looks, not a repair. Textured and stone-coated finishes hide small dents better than smooth ones.

Noise, insulation and condensation

The worry we hear most is noise. Rain on a bare metal roof over open framing, as on a pole barn, is loud. On a house, the roof deck, underlayment, attic insulation and the ceiling below absorb most of that sound, and most homeowners notice little difference from shingles. Stone-coated steel is quieter still, because the stone coating and the raised profile break up the impact.

Condensation is the less obvious issue. Metal cools quickly at night, and warm, moist air reaching its underside can condense. On a house, the answer is the same as for any roof: a solid deck with a quality underlayment, a well-sealed ceiling and a ventilated attic so moist air from the living space does not reach the roof.

Over existing shingles or a full tear-off?

Some metal systems are marketed for installation over an existing shingle roof. A tear-off is the more thorough approach: it exposes the deck so soft or damaged boards can be replaced, lets the crew install a fresh ice barrier and underlayment, and avoids trapping an old roof's problems under a new one. Local building codes also limit how many roof layers a house may carry. Your estimate visit is the time to look at the deck and decide which approach suits your house.

Cost and how metal compares

Metal costs more to install than architectural asphalt shingles, and less than some premium options such as synthetic or natural slate. What you pay depends on the system, the gauge of the steel, the finish, the size and shape of the roof and whether a tear-off is needed. Our guide to roof replacement cost explains every line of a roofing quote, for metal and every other material, and how to compare quotes fairly.

For a broader look at how metal sits beside asphalt and synthetic materials, see our guide comparing asphalt, metal and stone-coated steel.

Metal roofing near you

Omega Exteriors installs metal roofs from offices across Minnesota and Wisconsin. Homeowners on the North Shore can read about metal roofing in Duluth, where lake weather makes metal a common choice. Wherever you live, every metal roof starts with a free estimate visit: we measure the roof, look at the pitch, the deck and what sits below the eaves, and talk through standing seam, stone-coated steel and asphalt side by side. Call (651) 998-8500 or request a free estimate online.